MONTGOMERY, Ala. — In a heated debate on Thursday, congressional candidates Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson engaged in a lively exchange, critiquing each other’s backgrounds while tackling pivotal issues such as abortion, immigration, and the economy. Figures, representing the Democratic party, and Dobson, from the Republican side, are vying for the Alabama 2nd Congressional District seat, which has become competitive following a contentious redistricting process. The debate, facilitated by AARP Alabama and Al.com, was marked by each candidate attempting to position themselves as the choice for Alabama voters while highlighting the perceived shortcomings of their opponent.
Throughout the discussion, verbal sparring was apparent, with Dobson repeatedly labeling Figures as a “Washington insider.” Figures, who held positions as deputy chief of staff under U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and an aide during the Obama administration, faced accusations from Dobson that his experience had not benefited Alabama families. She remarked, “My opponent argues he should be elected because he understands how Washington works. Well, the truth is, Washington hasn’t been working for Alabama families.” In defense, Figures emphasized his Alabama roots while arguing that he could effectively utilize his Washington experience to assist the residents of the district.
The candidates also exchanged accusations regarding their roles in perpetuating the political establishment, claiming to offer the change voters desire. Dobson insisted that Figures, having been part of the Biden-Harris transition team, was committed to maintaining the policies of the last four years. She asserted, “He was part of an administration that has hurt Alabama families.” Figures countered by bringing attention to the state’s struggles under Republican leadership, indicating that Alabama’s rankings in education, income, and life expectancy have suffered due to decades of Republican governance. He stated, “As much as my opponent wants to blame everything on the nearest Democrat, the fact is that Alabama has been under Republican leadership at nearly every level for the last twenty years.”
When discussing immigration policy, both candidates acknowledged the need for reform while attributing the lack of progress to the other’s party. Figures criticized some Republicans for campaigning on immigration rather than seeking real solutions, advocating for a balanced policy that prioritizes border security without resorting to “fearmongering.” He shared a personal narrative about his wife’s immigrant family, countering stereotypes often propagated by political figures. “They immigrated here from Haiti, and they didn’t come to this country and eat dogs and cats,” Figures remarked, illustrating the positive contributions of immigrants.
Conversely, Dobson targeted Figures’ affiliation with the Biden administration, claiming it contributed to the ongoing border crisis negatively affecting Alabama families. She expressed her disapproval of bipartisan efforts to enhance border security, arguing they didn’t go far enough in addressing the crisis.
The debate brought forward contrasting views on abortion. Figures expressed his belief that government should not dictate decisions regarding women’s bodies, emphasizing his stance against the federalization of the issue. “I don’t believe it’s the government’s role to tell a woman what she should and should not do with her own body,” he stated. Dobson described herself as “pro-life,” advocating for state-level discussions on the matter, while also supporting exceptions for sexual assault, incest, and medical emergencies, even though Alabama’s current laws lack such exceptions.
Addressing economic concerns was pivotal during the debate, with both candidates recognizing dissatisfaction among Americans regarding the economy. Dobson attributed rising costs to the Biden administration’s “reckless spending” and policies impacting oil drilling. Meanwhile, Figures attributed ongoing economic challenges to longstanding issues exacerbated by the pandemic and defended the Biden administration by highlighting recent positive job reports and stock market performance.
Lastly, both candidates agreed on the urgent need to tackle rural healthcare challenges, particularly the closure of hospitals. However, their views diverged significantly on Medicaid expansion. Figures advocated for the expansion of Alabama’s Medicaid program, emphasizing the need to broaden low-income coverage, while Dobson suggested that the focus should lie in creating economic opportunities, opting for a more measured approach to the discussion.
Overall, the debate highlighted deep divisions between the candidates on key issues, with each candidate seeking to underscore their vision for Alabama’s future.